SPECIAL SECTION : KIRKLAND SIGNATURE
DRIVING
Costco Fuel Stations offer start-to-finish quality , value and efficiency .
BY DAN JONES value
Costco strives to offer quality and value in all areas . Its fuel stations are no exception . To ensure the value and quality of its fuel , the company developed its own Kirkland Signature Fuel . As an added bonus , the proprietary blend of additives in Costco petroleum surpasses the minimum standards for additives set by regulatory agencies .
Continuous improvement
Costco recently reformulated its petrol to add even more value for members . The new additive formulation , which has been in the works for several years , better addresses the needs of vehicles that feature the latest fuel injection technology – petrol direct injection ( PDI ) – while still providing protection for all previous fuel injector technology vehicles currently on the road .
The new formulation prevents harmful deposits from building up on valves and injectors , which can reduce fuel economy and cause performance problems , such as rough idling or hesitation when accelerating . The additive ’ s finely tuned chemistry helps engines ’ complex emissions controls work as designed and also protects against harmful corrosion and premature wear in the fuel system .
Donovan Hamilton , Costco ’ s director of fuel , says the new additive was formulated with PDI vehicles in mind .
“ Direct injection is a more efficient way to deliver fuel to the combustion chamber , but it exposes the injector to extreme temperatures and pressure . To protect the injector and to receive the full benefit of this technology , it ’ s important to keep the injector as clean as possible ,” Hamilton says .
He explains that these deposits will often form in the newer direct injectionstyle engines within the first 4000 kilometres in the absence of the correct detergent package .
“ PDI engines are found in about 80 percent of the new vehicles sold , but over 60 percent of the vehicles currently on the road have engines that use the previous injection technology , port fuel injection ,” says Joe Ballard , assistant vice president of fuel at Costco . “ That ’ s why it was important to develop one detergent additive package that addressed the needs of both injector technologies .”
An efficient trip
Costco ’ s latest additive blend exemplifies the company ’ s commitment to constantly improve every area of its business . You may notice the attention to detail the moment you pull into a Costco Fuel Station . They are built to reduce wait times and increase efficiency , with extra-large entries and exits , one-way traffic , wide lanes and many pumps . Each pump has a hose long enough to fill on either side of
WELL-TRAINED STAFF
Costco staffs each fuel station with trained employees to keep members safe and ensure that everything is working efficiently . Each safety-vested employee is trained on emergency procedures , member service and pump operation . They are also there to assist with spill clean-up , maintain equipment , observe safe fuel tanker deliveries and make sure everything runs smoothly .
18 | MAR / APR 2025 COSTCO CONNECTION